Thai Soldiers Reportedly Open Fire Killing One Cambodian Citizen

Phnom Penh 08 January 2011 -- Reaksmei Kampuchea in Cambodian language [Summary version] --LyKC

 Black-clad Thai soldiers defending the border near border marker 26 in Lahansai district of Thailand's Buriram province, ambushed and opened fire on some 10 poor Cambodian villagers who went up the Dangrek mountain to cut down Kranhoung trees [Indian or Brazilian rosewood tree?]: one was killed and another wounded.

Yot Ray, police chief of Thmar Puok district, told Reaksmei Kampuchea on 7 January that at 1550 on 6 January 2011, north of the border marker 26, on Phnum Dangrek mountain opposite Thlork village, Banteay Chhma commune in Thmar Puok district of Banteay Meanchey province, black-clad Thai soldiers stationed near the border marker, ambushed and opened fire on a group of poor Cambodian villagers hired by traders to fell Kranhoung trees along the border.

He said that the body of the one who died in the gunfire has not yet been brought back; he was Lang Sambat, a 32-year-old man, staying temporarily before his death in Boeng Ta Srei village, Kouk Romiet commune, Thmar Puok district, Banteay Meanchey province. Another person was missing, but returned home on 7 January 2011. Six persons are from Boeng Ta Srei village and four others from Thnung village in Banteay Chhma commune."

Another source said that one worker was wounded and is secretly receiving treatment in a private clinic to evade the authorities' search to arrest Kranhoun tree loggers."

Koy Kuong, spokesman of the Cambodian Foreign Ministry told Reaksmei Kampuchea in the night of 7 January that we have just received preliminary report on this issue. The Foreign Ministry has told the Cambodian consul general in Srah Kev province to check and get details, the reason and the identity of the victims. When asked how Cambodia would react to this case, Koy Kuong replied that we would first wait for a detailed report. He added that in such a brutal case, we normally protest through a diplomatic note so that not to affect the relations between the two countries.

On whether this case of firing and killing of Cambodian citizens would influence the case of seven Thai nationals in detention in Cambodian prison, Koy Kuong said that we do not link one case to another. We do not want to do anything to affect Cambodian-Thai relations.

At 0900 on 6 January 2011, soldiers in Anlong Veng suboperational region, in cooperation with police border defense unit 905, prevented 13 persons in O Mlu area, Preah Pralay commune, in Trapeang Prasat district of Otdar Meanchey province when they crossed the border to fell Kranhoung trees in Thai territory. The villagers were detained and warned.

A source said that Kranhoung tree logging trade along Cambodia's western and northern borders has been reported the same way by various sources: the business is conducted daily, partly because of the collusion among villagers and local Cambodian and Thai authorities. Some villagers sneakily cross the border by themselves and bring back logs for sale in Cambodian territory.